NEW YORK – 100 Women in Finance (‘100WF’), a global finance industry organization today announces that it will create a collaboration with Alliance of Black Women Accountants (‘A.B.W.A.’) a non-profit organization based in Southern California that connects and empowers women of color working across the accounting and finance industry. This alliance will accelerate the shared goal of 100WF and A.B.W.A. to advance the careers of Black women and other women of color professionals by offering new member enhancements for both organizations, including membership reciprocity arrangements, co-programming, and cross-network referrals for public speaking opportunities designed to raise the visibility of women of color and promote diverse voices in the accounting and finance industry.
The partnership will also bring together new networks of expertise and enable the organizations to offer richer programming for their memberships. Since launching in 2016, A.B.W.A. has quickly become a valuable community for young women aspiring to succeed in accounting or finance, as well as seasoned professionals looking to network and collaborate with colleagues who can relate to their experiences. A.B.W.A. offers a mentorship program providing one on one guidance to assist in managing their careers, workshops to sharpen one’s skills and general networking meetings which features speakers covering relevant topics impacting business professionals. Additionally, A.B.W.A. makes available financial assistance to students through their scholarship program offered several times a year.
This alliance builds on 100WF’s efforts to promote greater diversity and inclusion in the finance industry. In recent years, 100WF has expanded diversity within its governance and committee leadership, and among the finance industry experts featured in its education programming. A growing number of women of color are featured in the organization’s FundWomen and 100WFinTech visibility initiatives, which provide industry, media and business development exposure for female fund managers and senior FinTech professionals. Aligning with A.B.W.A. will provide 100WF with access to a new pipeline of women eligible to join these initiatives.
100WF CEO Amanda Pullinger stated, “Collaboration with A.B.W.A. offers a valuable networking opportunity for both organizations’ members and will support programming reflective of an increasingly diverse market, rich in unique perspectives.” Ms. Pullinger further remarked, “At 100WF, our efforts for equality in finance are not focused on gender alone—they need to consider greater diversity and inclusion if we are to better serve the interests of our global membership.
Nefertiti Long, one of the founders of Alliance of Black Women Accountants and current President, noted, “I am looking forward to collaborating with 100 Women in Finance on bringing awareness to the profession of accounting and finance as an option to young women of color. In addition, this partnership will enable A.B.W.A. members to benefit from a range of networking and public speaking opportunities that will support their career progression and help shine a spotlight on amazing women who are making incredible strides in the accounting and finance industry. A.B.W.A. is committed to providing resources and opportunities that enable women of color to grow and develop and reach the highest levels in the profession. It is our goal that the additional exposure will increase interest and grow the number of women of color entering the profession, resulting in more inclusive and welcoming environment where they are currently underrepresented.
Our organization was formed by a group of colleagues that had been frustrated on how lonely it felt rarely having the opportunity to work with others that look like you. Not having mentors or sponsors advocating for our success. It is my hope that this partnership results in women connecting and having colleagues internationally, as well as locally. Additionally, this will strengthen the awareness and exposure of talented candidates to provide opportunities for our members. Our organization is just growing its membership base, the partnership with 100WF will provide the potential to expedite our process.”
Questions about 100 Women in Finance may be directed to media@100women.org.
Questions about Alliance of Black Women Accountants may be directed to info@allianceofbwa.org.
About 100 Women in Finance
100 Women in Finance strengthens the global finance industry by empowering women to achieve their professional potential at each career stage. Its members inspire, equip and advocate for a new generation of industry leadership, in which women and men serve as investment professionals and executives, equal in achievement and impact. Through Education, Peer Engagement and Impact, the organization furthers the progress of women who have chosen finance as a career and enables their positive influence over pre-career young women. 100women.org
About Alliance of Black Women Accountants
The Alliance of Black Women Accountants was birthed out of the vision of our founder and late president Rosemarie Pamela Brown. After working many years in public accounting, doing business with a variety of clients and colleagues, Rosemarie noticed that frequently she was the only person of color in the room. She knew first-hand the challenges that are met in public accounting for women of color having worked in larger national CPA firms. Public accounting is a challenging and demanding field. For Rosemarie and other women of color, having mentors that look like you and can relate to your challenges as well as serve as an advocate for you is rare if at all experienced throughout one’s career. Rosemarie wanted to change that. Launched in 2016, A.B.W.A.’s mission is to engage in the retention, empowerment, education, support, and mentoring of women of color in the accounting and finance profession.